Question

Two balls with masses of 1.90 kg and 6.40 kg travel toward each other at speeds of 13.0 m/s and 3.80 m/s, respectively. If the balls have a head-on inelastic collision and the 1.90-kilogram ball recoils with a speed of 7.60 m/s, how much kinetic energy is lost in the collision?

Answer 1

In an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved, and some energy is lost during the collision. To calculate the amount of kinetic energy lost, subtract the final kinetic energy from the initial kinetic energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved, and some energy is lost during the collision. To calculate the amount of kinetic energy lost, you can use the equation:

Change in kinetic energy = Initial kinetic energy - Final kinetic energy

The initial kinetic energy is the sum of the kinetic energies of both balls before the collision, and the final kinetic energy is the kinetic energy of the recoiling 1.90 kg ball after the collision.

Given the masses and speeds of the two balls before the collision, you can calculate the initial kinetic energy. Then, using the mass and speed of the recoiling ball, you can calculate the final kinetic energy. Subtracting the final kinetic energy from the initial kinetic energy will give you the change in kinetic energy, which is the amount of kinetic energy lost in the collision.